How many Soldiers can navigate a terrain course or area without BFT?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 13:13:11 -0500

Technology is great can you work without it???

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Dec 7 at 2013 3:14 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:14:31 -0500

Absolutely without a doubt.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 3:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:22:04 -0500

As a Geography Major, in my expert opinion, GPS is a crutch.

Land navigation is a often overlooked skill when we have GPS and limited training time.

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Dec 7 at 2013 3:44 PM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:44:15 -0500

I certainly could. I can't stand technology. I can't live without my iPhone for Facebook and rally point (may need a rehab center for phone addiction), but I plot my routes for trips in a road atlas. I'd rather a supervisor leave me a voicemail and wait until I get back with him/her like one would if I only had a home phone. To top that off, electronic records are not standard enough for maintenance management/dispatching. I'd rather have standard forms across the board as we once did, and see calendars up with service schedules and tracking boards to show the generals and brigade commanders when they show up. I mean, I know that technology can help and can be efficient, but the deadlines that I've seen set for some tasks are ridiculous and it's all because of the invention of technology; but I charge you, is the quality of our work the best that it can be 100% of the time?

Response by LTC Daniel Rogne made Dec 8 at 2013 3:36 PM

LTC Daniel Rogne — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 15:36:18 -0500

Night and day without NVDs or GPS and a KD with azimuth. Can do with full battle rattle, ruck, and rifle with a squad over a 48 hour advanced land scenario... Just need map, compass, and a way to track pace.

Response by SFC Rocky Gannon made Dec 8 at 2013 4:37 PM

SFC Rocky Gannon — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 16:37:03 -0500

No problem, have done it a many of times, NO GPS needed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 4:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 16:45:31 -0500

Gentlemen I am talking post war training are the currently E-4 and below intellectually equipped to handle a land nav training within 24hrs and no refresher training... It is like us being asked to move forward on the battleground tomorrow without notice. Could most young leaders and subordinates do it. I know all you can???

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 8:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 20:52:22 -0500

Not me, I need a GPS to find the bathroom. ;)